Chapter 6: Problem 19
Assume that relative maximum and minimum values are absolute maximum and minimum values. ProHauling Services is designing an open-top, rectangular container that will have a volume of \(320 \mathrm{ft}^{3}\). The cost of making the bottom of the container is \(\$ 5\) per square foot, and the cost of the sides is \(\$ 4\) per square foot. Find the dimensions of the container that will minimize total cost. (Hint: Make a substitution using the formula for volume.)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Identify Variables and Costs
Express Cost as a Function of Two Variables
Substitute One Variable Using Symmetry
Differentiate to Find Critical Points
Verify with Second Derivative Test
Find Corresponding Dimensions
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivative Applications
- First Derivative: It shows how the function behaves, indicating whether it's increasing or decreasing at a certain point.
- Setting the Derivative to Zero: This step finds the critical points, where the cost could potentially be minimized or maximized.
- Second Derivative Test: Confirm whether these critical points are indeed minimums by checking the concavity. If the second derivative is positive at the point, the graph is concave up, indicating a minimum.
Volume in Geometry
- Understanding Volume Formula: The volume formula is the product of the dimensions: height, width, and length. For our open-top container, keeping the volume fixed at 320 cubic feet constrains other variables.
- Substitution for Simplification: We can express one variable in terms of the others using the volume formula, such as substituting for height as \( h = \frac{320}{xy} \). This helps reduce the number of variables.
- Symmetry and Design:** In optimization, symmetric designs often lead to easier calculations and aesthetically pleasing results. Here, assuming equal width and length simplifies finding the dimensions that minimize costs.
Cost Minimization
- Breaking Down Costs: The costs are divided into the bottom and sides of the container, with each having a different cost per square foot. Calculating these separately helps in forming a comprehensive cost function.
- Formulating the Cost Function: By adding the costs of each component, the total cost function is written as \( C = 5xy + 8(xh + yh) \), eventually simplifying to \( C = 5xy + \frac{2560}{x} + \frac{2560}{y} \).
- Optimization Solutions: Setting the derivative of this cost function to zero gives critical points that potentially provide the minimum cost solution. Here, symmetry (i.e., \( x = y \)) further reduces complexity.